Willis Tower climb benefits Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thousands of people raced to the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower Sunday to raise money for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago is a place Cameron Zick knows all too well. In May he broke his neck while hiking in Colorado. Miraculously, and thanks to the therapy at RIC, he was one of the climbers to the top of the Willis.

"Within my second day of being at RIC my team of therapists and I had me walking with a walker for the first time on my own power," he said.

Senator Mark Kirk also climbed for the fourth time. He is a patient at RIC after suffering a massive stroke back in 2012. Sunday, he was supported by his battle buddies, a group the senator created for those who've experienced health setbacks.

ABC7 reporter John Garcia also participated in the climb, coming in second in the media race.